Socio-Economic Contributions of an Indigenous Tree in Urban Areas of Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Indigenous trees have been discovered to be disappearing from urban areas at alarming rates, and the contributions of the existing trees are not adequately documented. Milicia excelsa is an indigenous trees species in tropical Africa and popularly known as Iroko. Due to extensive exploitation for wood production and other socio-economic activities, the tree species is classified as threatened and relics could only be found in a few locations. A survey of the trees in the city of Ibadan was therefore carried out to determine their distribution as well as their socio-economic contributions to the urban people. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the people living close to the trees or working in the locations where the trees are sighted to determine the socio-economic benefits. A total of 65 trees (0.14 trees/km 2 ) of M. excelsa were sighted. As observed in the city, the benefits of the tree species were categorized as: environmental, medicinal, economic, spiritual and ecological services. Provision of shade that creates a 'microclimatic environment' in the form of cooling effects from the heat of the day was mentioned by about 95% of the respondents as the major benefit obtained from the trees. A strategy for the conservation of the trees as urban trees and their protection against damage to life and property are considered imperative. There is also a need for an appropriate policy that protects indiscriminate felling of indigenous trees in the city and constant monitoring of the trees' status for any sign of weakness.

Progress and Methodological Approaches in Urban Trees and Forests Research in Africa

“…Similarly, Shikur (2012) found exotic tree species to account for between 60 and 80% in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while Seburanga et al (2014) found exotic species to account for 75% in urban settlements of Kigali, Rwanda. In Nigeria, Babalola et al (2013) and Agbelade et al (2017) reported more exotic than native species in Ibadan and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja respectively. This implies an increasing dominance of exotic trees species in the continent hence, raising the fear of gross alterations in the abundances of native species and their exposure to increased risk of local extinction (Farmilo et al, 2014).…”

“…A number of studies in Nigeria (Agbelade et al, 2016a;Babalola et al, 2013) and South Africa (Sheona et al, 2015) have revealed that urban and peri-urban trees provide environmental/ecological values such as beautification, protection of houses and provision of shade, habitat for some birds, serving as phorophytes for orchids and other epiphytes and generally improving peoples' social interaction and children outdoor playing. They also have economic values such as being sources of food, nutrition supplement, fuelwood and animal fodder (Agbelade et al, 2017).…”

“…Another important value of African urban trees and forests pertains to spirituality and cultural attachments (La Rosa, Spyra, & Inostroza, 2016;Peter & Shackleton, 2017;Sheona et al, 2015). Some trees are attached to spirits or serve as shrines for worships (Babalola et al, 2013;Oyebade, Popo-ola, & Itam, 2013) and therefore serve as connections between urban dwellers and various divinities. In their study also, found urban in Northern South Africa to provide homes for birds and small animals.…”

“…In order to achieve sustainable urban development therefore, there is the need for a corresponding increase in integrating trees into urban planning (Dobbs, Kendal, & Nitschke, 2014;Li, Wang, stochastic events by increasing their potential for adaptation and survival (Alvey, 2006). They facilitate the provision of important services such as shaping, protecting and modifying the micro climates of urban landscapes (Agbelade, Onyekwelu, & Apogbona, 2016a), carbon storage and sequestration (Nowak et al, 2013;Tang, Chen, & Zhao, 2016), providing shade and habitat for people and birds (Agbelade, Onyekwelu, & Oyun, 2017), providing recreational and spiritual amenities (Babalola, Borokin, Onefeli, & Muchie, 2013;Sheona, Chinyimba, Hebinck, Shackleton, & Kaoma, 2015;van Dillen, de Vries, Groenewegen, & Spreeuwenberg, 2012) as well as aesthetics (Kuruneri-Chitepo & Shackleton, 2011) which people enjoy. In the light of this, scholars and policy makers focus attentions on evaluating and developing the potentials of urban trees to curve some of the menaces associated with urbanization including noise, carbon pollution, soil erosion, habitat loss, and species loss (Roy et al, 2012).…”

The Environmental Benefits of Trees in a Changing Climate: A Nigerian Experience

“…For example, [16], used 1,200 copies of questionnaires in Ekiti State in Southwest Nigeria to look for reasons why people plant trees. Similarly, the study of [17] utilized semi-structured questionnaires to survey the trees in the city of Ibadan Southwest Nigeria and the people living close to the trees or working in the locations where the trees are sighted to determine the socioeconomic benefits. A total of 65 trees (0.14 trees/km 2 ) of M. excelsa were sighted.…”